Blog Post

How Acid Reflux Impacts Your Oral Health

Gerald M • Jul 08, 2019
acid reflux

Dental erosion has been a major concern for both dentists and their patients for over 200 years. Studies dating back that far report dental erosion as a result of various industrial hazards, specifically in cases where employees worked with acidic aerosols. Recently, dental erosion has been linked to many food and drinks that we indulge in daily, including pickles, lemons, sodas, and starchy, sugary treats. Acid-reflux erosion is yet another condition that results in significant loss of the tooth’s structure. According to a peer-reviewed journal entitled General Dentistry , acid-reflux erosion is a condition in which the contents of the stomach reflux into the mouth, causing damage to the teeth.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that upwards of seven million people deal with serious acid reflux each day. However, the lead author of the General Dentistry study, David Lazarchik, DMD, adds that “patients often are not aware of the damage that reflux-induced erosion has caused to their teeth until it has reached an advanced stage of destruction.”

The acidity of a substance is generally measured using the potential of hydrogen, or pH. The potential is assessed using a scale from 0 to 14. A solution with a lower pH will have a higher concentration of acid. If the substance has a higher pH, it is more alkaline, or non-acidic.

Dr. Lazarchik explains that “Dental enamel begins to dissolve at a pH of 5.5. Because stomach acid has an extremely low pH of 2.0, it has the potential to cause significant chemical erosion.”

Individuals should be aware that many common habits, foods, and drinks are proven to cause acid reflux and could potentially be damaging their teeth. These include foods that are fatty, fried, or spicy as well as dairy products and citrus fruit and beverage.

AGD Vice President, Fares Elias, DDS, FAGD, says that there is more to protecting your teeth than just establishing healthy habits. “When visiting a general dentist, it is important to make him or her aware of any medical conditions and medical history in general.”

Dr. Elias, who has experienced acid reflux himself, goes on to explain that, “In some cases, other medical conditions, not directly related to your oral health, may be the cause for problems associated in the mouth. Treating reflux-induced erosion without treating and preventing the medical condition that causes the erosion may only lead to more severe problems for your oral health in the future.”

If You Are Diagnosed with Acid Reflux-Induced Erosion:

·Avoid highly acidic foods and other foods that are known to cause acid reflux. (citric fruits, tomatoes, fatty meats, chocolate, caffeine, dairy, spicy and fried foods can all cause trouble).

·Wait 60 minutes to brush following an episode of reflux .

·Following a reflux episode, rinse your mouth with water.

·Let a sugar-free antacid dissolve in your mouth.

·Chew sugarless gum or xylitol gum, candies or lozenges.

Worried about your teeth due to your own acid reflux? If you are looking for a Gahanna, Ohio Dentist, the Sampson dental group is now accepting new patients. For more information our services or to request an appointment, please click here.

Dentist in Westerville OH
05 Dec, 2023
Moving to a new city is hard enough, but if you are moving to an entirely different state altogether, the adjustment period might feel like it will never end. You might love everything about Massachusetts, but completely reconfiguring your life can be daunting, even for things seemingly as small as finding the right dentist. You know you want someone qualified, someone who will provide comprehensive dental services, and someone who will see you as more than just a number. You are likely thinking, “Is there someone close by who has everything I want from my dentist?” Hopefully, you will have an easier time after considering the following points. Experience and Qualifications It is always smart to check out how long a dental professional has been practicing, the number of professional associations they have affiliated themselves with, and, for extra clarification, the university or college your prospect chose for their dental school. In addition to the length of time your potential dentist has been operating, it is also wise to ask how much experience they have with each aspect of dentistry and how long they’ve performed in those various areas. Patient Reviews When choosing a new dentist, especially in an area you have just moved to, it is an absolute necessity that you check online reviews and ratings to get a better understanding of how patients like you feel about the practice and what they have experienced sitting in the chair. You can find out about the level of professionalism and kindness from the staff, how cleaned up the office is, and, perhaps most importantly, whether the office’s priority is simply getting bills paid or making sure their patients receive quality dental care. Offered Services This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but you should be sure the dental professional you choose offers the kind of services you want and need—whether it is just general check-ups and cleanings, children’s dentistry, or something more complicated like restorative dentistry or Invisalign. Since dental care will be a part of our lives until the very end, building strong relationships with patients is important to us at Sampson Dental Group. You may not need a dental implant today, but the future could very well call for one, and, at the very least, the option is available for older family members. We are proud to provide the full scope of dental services for all patients—from seniors to kids to everybody in between. Logistics  We know it can be frustrating to fight traffic anywhere, especially if the dentist you are driving to is out of the way. Fortunately, Sampson Dental Group has three convenient locations in Gahanna, Granville, Powell and Westerville, and you can always make an appointment at a time that’s most convenient for you. We can’t wait to meet you, so fill out or contact form and our office will be in touch with you ASAP.
Sampson Dental
05 Dec, 2023
For many individuals, their next dental appointment may be their first. A far too common thought process is if you are brushing twice daily and flossing, there is simply no need to go to the dentist. That, obviously, is wrong. Regardless of how strict of an oral hygiene regimen you have on your own, bi-yearly dental visits are imperative to ensure good oral health. Now, since it may have been some time since you last visited a dentist or it is your first visit, here are some tips on how to prepare for a visit to the dentist’s office: Learn How to Brush Properly For as long as most of us can remember, we have been brushing our teeth. The question is, though, are you brushing your teeth the right way? Here are the basics in how to brush your teeth properly: · Use soft-bristled brush · After adding toothpaste to the brush, place the brush at the gumline at a 45-degree angle and brush gums before brushing your teeth · When done along the gumline, focus on brushing the front of the teeth before doing the rear · The brush should move vertically across the teeth rather than horizontally (this helps remove plaque from all angles) · Ensure you reach the rear of your mouth to brush the molars (which are often missed, creating the biggest problems for dental visits) Flossing Properly After you have brushed and rinsed, it is time to floss. This will ensure the small food particles left behind and wedged between teeth and under gumlines are removed. Start flossing at the rear bottom, slipping the floss between the teeth and gently moving it upwards. Once the lower level is done, repeat the process on the upper level. For even better results, invest in a water flosser, as they are far more effective than using standard floss. Using Mouthwash The use of a proper mouthwash is just as vital as the first two steps. Today, there are so many varieties and brands, it is virtually impossible not to find something both effective and palatable. You may want to discuss a specific brand with your dentist to ensure you are using a mouthwash most compatible with your needs/concerns. When rinsing, swish a small amount of mouthwash around vigorously for about a minute, then spit out. Looking for a new Westerville OH dentist? Sampson Dental Group is now accepting new patients and we would love for you to become part of our dental family. For more information about our services or to make an appointment, please click here .
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